Agreed, but it's hard to implement your own forecheck when you can't break out of your zone cleanly. The Avs were throwing 2 forecheckers at the Leafs D all night and outside of Rielly no one really has the ability to make them pay. To be fair to the Leafs 3 games in 4 nights at altitude isn't easy.
I doubt lagesson is a good long term solution.
what? are actually arguing that a missed shot would have made no difference?
When Willy is getting involved in scrums, it’s happening
A month ago half the people here hated them.
The Leafs sure beat the hell out of Western teams this year.
This is pretty clearly a completely different team the past month. Marner, Willy, and almost every supporting player is playing gritty, fast, effective hockey. Something we haven't seen almost any of from this group of stars, ever.
Hate is a strong word, and not everyone is as optimistic as you, although you predict them to win every game
I don't think the West/East distinction means much. For me, it's all about watching this team from the new year on. Even in their losses, they have generally looked far more composed and defensively responsible. They haven't been out of a game since the clunker against Buffalo in December. I expect they will win the next two games, which will make for a very interesting game against the Rangers next Saturday. More importantly, they have tremendous leverage going into the deadline and they have very much narrowed down the acquisition(s) they need to make (which could, in theory, be limited to a single defenseman if need be).
Not every game at all. I thought they would lose to Ottawa a couple of weeks ago. I also thought they would lose last night. But it's not really about that. It's more about having patience and letting a team gel and mature over time. I think that is all we are seeing now. The only surprising aspect of this season for me is whatever the heck has happened with Samsonov. I haven't seen a slingshot like this in a long time. The guy was dead and buried on New Year's Eve, and last night he looked like a completely different person.
Think Odogg said it best on OD. It is hard not to like this team bc of the way they are playing. Winning helps but they are just playing the right way, all players are being accountable, doing the small things, skating hard….
How dare you say that. Certain players you mentioned have always played like this, for shame. It’s so obvious the increase in intensity the last month or less.
